RATING:70/100

Located on the Tabarja roundabout, Al Intabli has been a renowned location for fruit cocktails and juices for a long time. I remember coming here with the family on our way from the north to Beirut. Years have passed and here I am coming again to check on the updates.

From a cocktail parlor to everything refreshing; a merry cream machine, Italian gelato, oriental ice cream, ice cream cakes and juices. The place still feels authentic with its yellow and white tiles covering its walls, inspired by the Chehabs era.

You are not welcomed, no one smiles, the cashier wears a black outfit, the staff spread negativity... I felt like running away even before ordering. Food is delivered to the table with an arrogant attitude!

Despite the bad attention and service, the food is good! A loaded fruit cocktail that's not too sweet, chunks of several fruits, mango sauce and strawberry sauce with a decoration of kashta and honey. Enjoyed the smoothness, the equilibrium of flavors, the juice and the intensity of fruit flavors.

Katayef: even though prepared earlier so looks dry, but tasty and fluffy. The kashta is really good and the katayef fluffy and not chewy at all. Add sugar syrup and enjoy.

Lemonade, intensely lemony and barely sweet served with crushed ice. Some like it this way, I personally prefer it with a bit more sugar.

Before leaving, I grabbed an ice cream cone for the road! Let’s try their kashta ice cream cone. For only LBP2,500, probably the cheapest out there, you’ll receive a loaded traditional rectangular cone with a tiny sprinkle of pistachio on top. Huge bits of pistachio when they should be crushed and cover all the ice cream. The ice cream on the other hand is sweet, too unpleasantly sweet in fact. I didn't like it.

I remembered the incident I had three years ago when the service was as bad... I’m not sure why or what’s the strategy behind it. I believe such a famous establishment should make more of an effort to keep their loyal customers.

I like the fruit cocktails here. When craving a refreshing experience, pass by Al Intabli Tabarja.